The _______ County Health Department announced that it is participating in a statewide effort to help reduce the infant mortality rate in Oklahoma and improve birth outcomes in ____ County. In an average week in Oklahoma eight babies die before reaching their first birthday. According to the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) and the National Center for Health Statistics, Oklahoma ranked 41st in the United States for infant deaths in 2006.

With that in mind, _____ County Health Department, government and community partners kicked off the public awareness campaign, Preparing for a Lifetime, It’s Everyone’s Responsibility, to reduce infant mortality rates (IMR) in Oklahoma at the Southwest Region Healthy Start Conference held in Oklahoma City in September. The conference promoted ways that family members, local communities and businesses can join in the efforts to improve infant health in Oklahoma. The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH), county health departments and partners in the statewide public health campaign are introducing the new website information for public use. It can be found at www.health.ok.gov .

Oklahoma’s infant mortality rate (IMR) has consistently remained above the national rate since 1992. According to the OSDH, the state’s IMR of 8.0 deaths per 1,000 live births for 2006 is no better than the national average of 8.0 achieved over 10 years earlier. The 2006 African American IMR of 15.8 is more than twice the rate for white IMR of 6.7. In addition, statistics show that the Native American IMR of 10.6 is higher than for whites.

The top three causes of infant death in Oklahoma include disorders related to low birth weight (less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces) and short gestation (less than 37 completed weeks of pregnancy), congenital defects (medical condition present at birth), and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) (sudden and unexplained death of an infant)

“This is part of a statewide initiative to improve the health of Oklahomans by starting with the babies in Oklahoma and their caregivers. Given our increased understanding of prenatal care and the importance or a mother’s health during pregnancy, it is unacceptable that Oklahoma babies are dying at a rate higher than the majority of other States, and that we have continued to see a disparity between Native American and African American infant mortality rates compared with white rates in Oklahoma,” said State Health Commissioner Dr. Terry Cline.

The Web site was designed so that family members and friends, employers and community organizations can find something they can do to actively support services and resources for pregnant women and their families. The key messages include:

Being healthy before and between pregnancies greatly improves the chances of having a healthy baby

Having a full-term pregnancy (about 40 weeks) and breastfeeding offers a baby the best start in life

Recognizing the signs and getting help for postpartum depression can improve health for both mother and baby

Placing a baby on the back to sleep and avoiding exposure to second hand smoke decreases the chances of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

“It’s everyone’s responsibility to ensure that Oklahoma babies are born strong and healthy with a life full of potential. We can make improvements in Oklahoma to help reduce our infant deaths and this campaign is a first step,” Dr. Cline said.

(Counties can insert a list local partners or recruit local partners here.)

For more information about the Preparing for a Lifetime, It’s Everyone’s Responsibility campaign to reduce infant mortality go to www.health.ok.gov , or call the OSDH Maternal and Child Health Service at 405/271-4480, or the _______ County Health Department at _______.